Those diligent enough to make it up to Healdsburg (past plentiful distractions along the wine country trail) find ample reward. Even if you’ve made your way around these parts in the past, a new generation of kids is shaking things up — and we like it.
Head north of the border to Mateo’s Cocina Latina, the Mexican namesake of celebrated chef Mateo Granados (Masa’s, Dry Creek Kitchen). The elevated Yucatecan cuisine (slow-cooked meats, supple tamales, not-your-typical tacos) is best enjoyed on the sunny patio with a Paloma Hermosa from Spoonbar’s Scott Beattie.
Save room for sweets from Moustache Baked Goods. The bright space combines two tired concepts (cupcakes and mustaches) into a fresh little spot, which serves cheeky flavors (The Butcher’s vanilla, maple, and bacon), FourBarrel Coffee, and sea salt caramels to die for.
Sure, there are vineyards, but you don’t have to venture far for a memorable tasting. Bergamot Alley, the new wine bar, retail shop, and industry haven from sommelier and SF expat Kevin Wardell (Flour + Water, A16), pours only Mediterranean wines. Crack a bottle from the porn room, guarded by a weighted door and stocked with hard-to-find vintages and collectors’ wet (wine) dreams.
Put the glitz in your glass at JCB Tasting Room & Wine Bar. Bedecked with a crystal chandelier, it’s the perfect setting for Jean-Charles Boisset’s rare but affordable numbered-edition bottles (from $20) of sparkling wine, pinot noir, and chardonnay.
Have a cheese (or dessert) plate with your wine at Vin Couture Lounge: The luxe appointment-only spot opens to the masses after 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
Take the girls to Tallulah Boutique: Healdsburg’s latest jewel box of a shop carries local products, high-end designer showpieces (framed Celine scarves, Trina Turk pillows, Chanel prints), and owner Denise Trefry’s line of glamorous accessories.
Discover hidden treasures at ReHealdsburg. The antiques and vintage market’s most recent addition features monthly pop-ups and online-only finds (sign up for the newsletter for sale updates).
Hold out for Arboretum’s revamp. The much-loved boutique resurfaces in March as the Looking Glass, complete with beverage service (wine, Shirley Temples, even house-made green tea).
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